Prevention of neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia through oral care with the combined use of colostrum and sodium bicarbonate.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effect of oral care via the combined use of colostrum and sodium bicarbonate on the prevention of neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 120 infant patients who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from January to October of 2019 were selected and randomly divided into three groups (40 cases in each group), namely, colostrum combined with sodium bicarbonate nursing (experimental group), colostrum (control group I), and sodium bicarbonate (control group II) groups. The primary outcomes measured included incidence rates of VAP and oral infection, positive rate of pathogenic bacteria after sputum culture, mechanical ventilation time, and length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: The incidence rates of VAP and oral infection and the positive rate of pathogenic bacteria after sputum culture of the experimental group, which were 6.67%, 10.00%, and 10.00%, respectively, were significantly different from those of control groups I and II (p < 0.05). The mechanical ventilation time of the experimental group was 156.07 ± 26.67 h, which was shortened by 9.79% and 9.43% compared with those of control groups I and II, respectively. The LOS of the experimental group was 17.6 ± 1.96 days, which was shortened by 17.74% and 17.50% compared with those of control groups I and II, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral care through the combined use of colostrum and sodium bicarbonate can lower the VAP incidence rate of infant patients and shorten their mechanical ventilation time and LOS.

Effects of simulation training on COVID-19 control ability and psychological states of nurses in a children's hospital.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to discuss the effects of simulation training on improving the pre-examination, triage, prevention, and control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), explain the psychological states of pre-examination and triage staff in general hospitals during the COVID-19 epidemic, and analyze relevant influencing factors. This study may serve as a reference of psychological consultation services to medical staff. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 60 nurses assigned in the pre-examination department, fever clinics, and isolation wards of a general hospital from January 26th to February 1st, 2020. Before assuming the posts, the nurses received simulation training on the clinical reception of suspected patients with COVID-19. Operation skills of the nurses before and after the training were assessed. RESULTS: The percent of passing significantly increased from 65% before the training to 98.33% after training (p<0.05). Training also significantly relieved the anxiety and depression of the nurses (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Scenario-simulation training can increase the emergency abilities of pediatric nurses in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic and relieve the anxiety of nurses.